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Cavs do it again

From where I sit, the Wizards lost this game with that brutal stretch of the fourth period when they missed 11 straights and failed to take advantage of the fact that the Cavs were in the penalty. The game really could have turned when Antawn Jamison (23 points, 19 rebounds) missed three wide open straight shots, including two three-pointers, that would have increased the lead and created a cushion.

Instead, LeBron James did what he usually does by taking the ball hard to the rack for two key baskets as the Cavs closed the game on an 11-4 run and emerged with a 93-86 victory. Jamison was kicking himself for the misses but the general feeling in the locker room was that that the Wizards played well enough to win but simply didn't close the deal.

"We didn't drive the ball as much as we should have," Coach Eddie Jordan said of the fourth period. "We didn't get to the free throw line. I know they shot maybe 20 more free throws than us but's nobody's fault but ours. When you are in the bonus with maybe 7:30 to play, you've got to get the ball to the basket. We settled and we missed."

There wasn't a whole lot of talk about the skirmish that took place just before halftime but ti's obvious that these teams are going to get after it all series long.

Some keys:

-Brendan Haywood can't get into foul trouble. When he had to sit after getting his fourth in the third quarter, the Cavs wisely started taking the ball to the basket and the Wizards didn't have anyone who could defend Zydrunas Ilgauskas and defend the rim.

-As I mentioned earlier, Wally Szczerbiak simply can't be allowed to defend Caron Butler even if as was the case today, Wally World gets help. Also, it's obvious after today that Jamison can have any shot he wants if Ben Wallace is on him. He has to make some threes and force Mike Brown to adjust.

-The Wiz can't have DeShawn Stevenson go 1 of 9, Roger Mason Jr. go 0 of 4 and Darius Songaila go 1 of 6. Meantime, Blatche didn't score and had two rebounds in just under nine minutes. They need more off that bench.

-After watching this game, I have no idea what constitutes a travel in the NBA. LeBron James, as is always the case, took an extra step several times but so did Ilgauskas, who leads the league in rushing according to another scribe, and Haywood shuffled his feet a few times as well. Meantime, in the fourth quarter, Butler got called for traveling when he made the same exact move James always makes on the break.

-The Wiz have now lost eight straight playoff games to the Cavs and if they aren't careful, this is going to turn into some kind of funky mind thing. Needless to say, Game 2 on Monday night will be huge.

The team practices tomorrow here at the Q so drop some questions you want answered and I'll do what I can to get them asked.

Comments

Seemed like Gilbert had no intention of passing the ball in the last few minutes of the game. Were the other players frustrated to be standing around while he kept trying to force the ball inside? Did he, in fact, take the team out of the rhythm that had made them successful all season?

Posted by: Vandy | April 19, 2008 7:22 PM

Ivan - Can you ask Eddie if he plans to use N. Young in game 2 if the Wiz bench is as cold (aside from Arenas of course) as they were in game 1...

Posted by: scrappy | April 19, 2008 7:33 PM

Gilbert was only trying to help the Wizards get to the line by penetrating in the fourth quarter. Also, I think the wizards need to feed Jamison the ball to the low post more when their jumpers aren't falling. Jamison will either scoop it up for any easy two, or he can dish it out to an open man when the Cav's use the double team. Needless to say, the Wizards need more production from their shooters, especially Stevenson and Mason. We count on them for a few three pointers every game, and today we got nothing.

A few questions you could ask..."How can you utilize Arenas' minutes so we can constantly pose as a threat on the offensive end of the court"

Posted by: rakesh | April 19, 2008 7:38 PM

Just how hurt is Caron Butler. He looks like a shell of his former self out there.

Posted by: JJ | April 19, 2008 7:44 PM

Two key points to this game:

1. The Wiz gave up 3 offensive rebounds on 1 possession in the 1st half and Wally ended it by making a three-pointer.

2. The Wiz failed to build on a two point lead in the 4th quarter when Antawn had three wide open looks. He missed all of them.

Gilbert was forcing drives to the basket late in the 4th quarter to make up for the fact that the Wiz failed to take advantage of the Cavs being in the penalty so early. By then it was too late to get the benefit of the doubt.

Antawn had an overall nice game but he probably regrets settling for so many long jumpers.

Posted by: low | April 19, 2008 7:46 PM

Cleveland is becoming the new Miami for Washington.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 7:53 PM

Stop with the criticism of Gilbert he played well today and they should have won,going cold down the stretch won't win you any games lets focus on monday and what they need to do to win. If they play smart they can win this series,I would if I were EJ use NY early in the game,just a taste of action at the end of the quater,first,second and third and see how he responds,need to win on Monday to put pressure on the CAVS!!!!!.

Posted by: DARGREGMAG@AOL.COM | April 19, 2008 7:56 PM

Yea, Caron is not looking to good. These last few games, he has numerous turnovers. He had about 3 or 4 today. I guess now Deshawn will shut his face because he DID NOT back up his talk. Offensively, he stunk up the joint. He was what,2 of 9 or something funky like that. At this point, my advice to Deshawn would be to shut his trap and play ball. Keep his personal feelings for Lebron to himself and don't drag the rest of the team into his drama. Arenas did what he said he would. Dude was shaking and baking at one point. That three he took, whew! Deadly.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 19, 2008 7:58 PM

hi ivan!!!!!!!

pleaze ask Agent Zero what he and phil hubbard were arguing about on bench in 4th quarter at end.

I'm not too worried yet. I still think the Wizards have a distinct talent advantage, and expect them to shoot better--as well as take it to the basket more--as the series progresses. EJ himself alluded to the fact that they're settling. Mason and Stevenson are most effect as 3-point shooters coming off driving kick-outs, so as more driving happens, their numbers will improve (getting past the mental tightness of game one helps too). Just wish Jordan had gotten the rookies, Young in particular, a few minutes so they'd feel more at home the next game. Pesh to take a try at guarding Z, anyone?

Posted by: Andrew | April 19, 2008 8:18 PM

Goodness no, Andrew. Pech is awful defensively. He was schooled by the Magic's end-of-bench big man in Orlando on Wednesday.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 8:20 PM

Wizards fans/media will start talking about the refs now so when they lose 4-1 the excuse will already be in place. Pathetic, just like Skins fans, "They didnt beat us, we beat ourselves".

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 8:25 PM

Wizards fans/media will start talking about the refs now so when they lose 4-1 the excuse will already be in place. Pathetic, just like Skins fans, "They didnt beat us, we beat ourselves".

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 8:25 PM

Black, that's actually opposite of what EJ said. And yet, you still can't give him credit for that? I'll never blame the refs because that's a cop-out. But the calls were a little one-sided. Like I said in an earlier thread, though, the Wizards were in the bonus less than halfway through the fourth quarter, then shockingly decided to chuck rather than drive. Wizards didn't take advantage.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 8:31 PM

Ivan Carter says that Lebron was taking an extra step, as if he needs it to get past "Soulja Boy" Stevenson.......

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 8:34 PM

LeTravel constantly takes an extra step. In fact, the NBA made a commercial demonstrating what traveling is and used LeTravel's walk (not called) from a game in the 2006 playoff series against Washington. It's definitely hard to stop LeTravel when he's walking all over the place. They don't call it on him, but they'll call it on anyone else, though. Wonder where that double standard came from.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 8:37 PM

They will start calling Lebron for travel when they start calling Gil for carrying the ball. Its not the refs, Cleveland doesnt choke in the 4th, the Wizards do. If the Cavs win game 2, everyone will start talking about Caron and Gilbert are still injured. The excuses never end for this crew........

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 8:41 PM

Please. Everyone carries the ball...just look at AI. The point it, Lebron is given special treatment with his walks more than almost any other player...and not just on the travels, but on the fouls too. Those calls did not make or break the game, but they sure as hell hurt the Wiz in the end. And btw, Gil does not carry the ball more than any other player...but Lebron sure as hell travels more than Gil, Kobe, or almost any other star you can think of.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 19, 2008 8:46 PM

IC, Caron didn't look to good. And ask Eddie why he didn't try Nick Young when the bench went frozen? And ask Deshawn why he hasn't shown up in the playoffs yet? What's his shooting % in the playoffs? 10%?

Posted by: C.Bell | April 19, 2008 8:51 PM

What is pathetic is that a Cavaliers fan has nothing better to do on a Saturday night than post on a WIZARDS blog. Absolutely pathetic.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

Ivan:

Is Caron healthy enough to guard LeBron for significant stretches? It appears to me that he is not. It looks to me like DeShawn may be the only one Eddie is comfortable putting on LeBron right now, which is why he may continue to get big minutes regardless of how poorly he shoots.

Posted by: Foo Bar | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

What is pathetic is that a Cavaliers fan has nothing better to do on a Saturday night than post on a WIZARDS blog. Absolutely pathetic.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

What is pathetic is that a Cavaliers fan has nothing better to do on a Saturday night than post on a WIZARDS blog. Absolutely pathetic.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

Four points:

1) Song should not be defending Z.

2) when the team goes cold, EJ should test whether NY has any ice in his veins.

3) CB is hurt, yet EJ plays him 40. Knees and hips don't get better with over-extension - they get worse. EJ needs to instill some confidence in the bench. They are better than the Cavs. CB's minutes need to come down so that he can get back to his former self by the 5th game.

4) Do not hit the panic button.

Posted by: Izman | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

Four points:

1) Song should not be defending Z.

2) when the team goes cold, EJ should test whether NY has any ice in his veins.

3) CB is hurt, yet EJ plays him 40. Knees and hips don't get better with over-extension - they get worse. EJ needs to instill some confidence in the bench. They are better than the Cavs. CB's minutes need to come down so that he can get back to his former self by the 5th game.

4) Do not hit the panic button.

Posted by: Izman | April 19, 2008 8:59 PM

Four points:

1) Song should not be defending Z.

2) when the team goes cold, EJ should test whether NY has any ice in his veins.

3) CB is hurt, yet EJ plays him 40. Knees and hips don't get better with over-extension - they get worse. EJ needs to instill some confidence in the bench. They are better than the Cavs. CB's minutes need to come down so that he can get back to his former self by the 5th game.

4) Do not hit the panic button.

Posted by: Izman | April 19, 2008 9:01 PM

Ivan, what do you think is wrong with the d.c. crowd? Is this just a football town? What would you do, if any, to fix it?

Posted by: C.Bell | April 19, 2008 9:18 PM

They will start calling Lebron for travel when they start calling Gil for carrying the ball. Its not the refs, Cleveland doesnt choke in the 4th, the Wizards do. If the Cavs win game 2, everyone will start talking about Caron and Gilbert are still injured. The excuses never end for this crew........

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 8:41 PM

This is a ridiculous comment. And if you had noticed, I haven't made one excuse for the Wizards loss. I've said it was their fault. I didn't blame the refs. I didn't blame the no calls on LeTravel's walks. You're in some kind of fantasy world and simply not reading what's being posted.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 9:19 PM

Ivan, what do you think is wrong with the d.c. crowd? Is this just a football town? What would you do, if any, to fix it?

Posted by: C.Bell | April 19, 2008 9:18 PM

It's not just a football crowd. Look at the turnouts and excitement for the Caps.

For some reason, though, they don't show up for Wizards games. Maybe it's because fans think it's a foregone conclusion that Washington will make the playoffs and lose in the first round. Maybe the fans simply don't have a fervor for basketball.

All that said, I think the fans might turn out for the Cavs games because there really is some animosity. I would expect to see a more riled up crowd this time around.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 9:21 PM

It seems as if this team we watched gel all season does not know their roles on the court with Gil on it. Particularly Caron. Jamison is still going to get his awkward inside shots, as will Brendan. But our perimeter players seem uncertain with Gil. I also thought our interior defense disappeared in the 4th. We can play with the Cavs, but can we finish?

Posted by: HoopObserver | April 19, 2008 9:24 PM

Im not a Cavs fan, im a NBA fan. I hate the Wizards and the Nuggets because they are play dumb............

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 9:25 PM

It's funny when people say they don't blame the refs, but follow it up by blaming the refs. 'LeTravel'. Or 'Stern just wants LeBron in the finals again'. Or some other nonsense.

That move Butler made for the travel was just a travel, btw. LeBron doesn't make that move.
He does get away with a step sometimes... so does the whole league.

Posted by: Frank | April 19, 2008 9:26 PM

I haven't seen anyone blame the refs, Frank. Plain and simple. Calling LeBron LeTravel isn't necessarily blaming the refs. It's simply pointing out that he walks a lot. Sure, it's uncalled. But I'm not blaming the non-calls on the loss today. It was all on the Wizards. And yes, Butler's walk was a walk. No doubt about that. But we've seen LeTravel do that quite a bit, too. Just interesting how it's called for some and not others.

Again, not the refs fault the Wizards lost this game. It's the Wizards fault the Wizards lost.

Posted by: Colin | April 19, 2008 9:29 PM

Can you ask Eddie why he doesn't institute more offensive/defensive subsitutions at the end of games? After 3 years its more than clear Jamision is a defensive liability at the end of games against Cleveland. I thought Blatche struggled gaurding Illgauskas, but played well enough alongside Brendan. Blatche can't do any worse then Jamison and there are enough fouls and timeouts to ensure you can get Jamision back on the court on offense. I thought Arenas legs looked heavy towards the end. Bringing Daniels in on the defensive end would've allowed him to rest a little bit. Either that or rest him at some point in the fourth next game.

Posted by: Offense / Defense Substitutions | April 19, 2008 9:29 PM

they play dumb! lol

Posted by: Black | April 19, 2008 9:29 PM

Gilbert is the most self centered player. The end of the game became his own personal attempt to prove his worth. Well, from what I saw, he's not worth half as much as he thinks. Whatever happened to rotating the ball? We're back to everyone standing around watching Gil. I was far more impressed by this year's team without him. Everyone had a role and contributed. They brought out the best in one another. Now, it's back to giving it to Gil..... and back to losing.

Posted by: LK | April 19, 2008 9:54 PM

Out of curiosity, who was the sportswriter that said Ilgauskas leads the league in rushing?

Posted by: Jeff T. | April 19, 2008 10:09 PM

lemmie get this stra8. destink stevenson called out lebron and got to back up his trash by guarding him.
hmmmm. lebron finished with 30 plus and destink finishes with 3.

but you all love destink cause the writers have stated over and over what a great defender he is. the 2nd coming of jared jeffries, who unfortunately was proclaimed to be naked once he got to ny.
couldnt score and couldnt cover. just like the new jeffries, err i mean destink stevenson.
maybe next time you should shut your trap stevenson if you cant back it up.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 10:21 PM

btw gilbert hitting those 3s in the first half was fools gold. cause every1 stopped playin offense. so as soon as he went cold, which he did in the 2nd half, there was no ball movement left, just like with the old gilbert wiz.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 10:27 PM

sad part is, i picked the wiz to win this series 4-2 but expected them to lose the first game easily.
but what is deflating is they actually had this sucker won. yet it became just like all the past playoff games against the cavs so it becomes so deflating, it kinda changes everything. the wiz played a game they should have won. now, who knows.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 10:29 PM

btw for all you geniuses who think james would go for 50 if god forbid nick young stepped on the court, nick young wouldnt be guarding james. so dont know what all that chap is about. yea all those great cavs players would really take advantage of nick too. well great coaching then from the wiz this year on nick. unreal.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 10:42 PM

where was the freakin coaching in this game. all you hear afterward from the wiz was "we fell in love with jump shots and stopped going to the rack."
well wheres the coach? isnt that his job. call timeout and say hey stop settling for 3s and take it to the hole.
hello coaches!!! that means you eddie jordan.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 11:03 PM

how many times have we seen this movie. we're freakin masochists. this is sad.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 11:05 PM

Yo Black! Get your Cleveland loving A$$ outta here!

Posted by: DoubleA | April 19, 2008 11:13 PM

Wow, DS picked a fight and didn't show up. DS is carrying over from what he did during last season's playoffs, which is nothing.

This game was there for Les BouleS to win. Almost all the cylinders were kicking, and they had the fire and drama.

I thought the refs called a heckuva fair game, and maintained control.

Problem was #23. He couldn't be denied. DS not only couldn't score, he couldn't do anything against Lebron. In one sequence, Big Z threw Lebron an alley oop when DS wasn't paying attention. As Lebron was walking back, he did the "can't feel my face" hand gesture. Ouch!

Gilby had a great shooting game, but as we can plainly see, he's not keeping with his "distributor" promise. He just took a lot of shots without involving anyone else on the team. Les BouleS ended up with 16 assists, while the Cavs had 24 assists.

Too bad he didn't do anything in the 4th quarter. Gilby drove to the hole a few times and flopped, while expecting the refs to give him a bail out foul call, but the refs weren't budging.

Did anyone see Danny Gibson break Gilby's ankles? It was almost as bad as when AI did the move on AJ in the next to last regular season game and caused AJ to trip over his own feet. I think Danny did 3 moves in one sequence on Gilby. Fans were oohing and ahhhing....

People were talking about the lack of impact from the new faces with the Cavs. In today's game, it didn't matter. Lebron ruled.

In the end, the Cavs almost gave the game away with their poor free throw shooting, but Les BouleS were worse due to their inability to score in the 4th quarter.

I'm looking for Les BouleS to bounce back on Monday and take that game.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:17 PM

"Seemed like Gilbert had no intention of passing the ball in the last few minutes of the game. Were the other players frustrated to be standing around while he kept trying to force the ball inside? Did he, in fact, take the team out of the rhythm that had made them successful all season?

Posted by: Vandy | April 19, 2008 7:22 PM "

I couldn't agree more, but I think Gilby puts too much pressure on himself to be the hero to get the fame. He should trust in his teammates and EJ should trust in the rest of the guys to let them run a play.

If EJ comes out with another excuse that "I'll take that shot anytime with Gilby," he needs to be slapped. Les BouleS got to where they are now with the other 11 guys on the team not named Gilby. Don't ruin a winning formula.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:23 PM

BTW, I don't think we need any more evidence that trash talking and then trying to back up the words is Les BouleS's strength. Reference the Boston and Cavs game.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:26 PM

Gilby had a great shooting game, but as we can plainly see, he's not keeping with his "distributor" promise. He just took a lot of shots without involving anyone else on the team. Les BouleS ended up with 16 assists, while the Cavs had 24 assists.

Too bad he didn't do anything in the 4th quarter. Gilby drove to the hole a few times and flopped, while expecting the refs to give him a bail out foul call, but the refs weren't budging.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:17 PM

Arenas did fine moving the ball. The problem was that when he was moving the ball, we were getting great open looks, only nobody could hit them. Including one of the three guys on this team that got positive marks tonight (Jamison). Jamison missed three jumpers in a row, including two uncontested 3's. Mason missed a couple big shots in the 4th. Caron missed a big shot in the 4th. When it came down to it, Arenas was the only guy who (1) had enough b@lls to attempt to step up with the big shot, and (2) actually had some rhythm going on the offensive end. If nobody else can make the shots, I have no problem putting the game in Arenas' hands. Tonight was an unlucky night.

And the fact that the refs "weren't budging" was an absolute travesty at the end of the game. The entire game was being called with touch fouls (along with hard ones), with a HEAVY bias towards Cleveland. Szczerbiak gets to launch himself laterally at Haywood, with no true attempt at a shot, and we get called. Jamison gets T'd for doing the exact same thing that Z and Ben Wallace were doing. Haywood gets a phantom offensive foul on Lebron because Lebron decides to flop. Then Arenas drives and draws unquestionable contact on the way to the hoop, and all of a sudden the refs get tough? Get out of here. How anybody can deny a refereeing bias that game is beyond me.

Posted by: psps23 | April 19, 2008 11:39 PM

"Almost all the cylinders were kicking, and they had the fire and drama."

The game was there for the taking, agreed, but all the cylinders were far from kicking. Butler is far from the explosive player he was earlier in the season right now; Jamison misses his share of shots, but usually shoots better than that; generally steady Mason wasn't giving anything off the bench, and Stevenson--probably from psyching himself up (and out) was stone cold. Not to mention a talented scorer like Nick Young who hasn't even gotten a shot yet, but seems to have the persona for the big moment. We don't really know about Butler, how healthy he'll be able to get this series, but everyone else seems only likely to go up.

Posted by: Andrew | April 19, 2008 11:43 PM

In the end, though, the Wiz still should have won that game. Stevenson, Blatche, Songaila, Daniels, and Mason combined for 10 points. Haywood had to sit for a good portion of the 2nd half due to foul trouble. Caron had an AWFUL night. All Wizards players went cold in the 4th. There was an absolute travesty with reffing. And in the end, Lebron still had to step up huge late in the 4th in order to win.

This was close to as bad as it could have gone for the Wiz tonight, yet we still should have won that game. That's a good sign to me. I'm not worried at all. Not one bit.

Posted by: psps23 | April 19, 2008 11:45 PM

Did Soulja boy show up at the game or was there just some obvious guy with a bag over his head?

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:50 PM

"where was the freakin coaching in this game. all you hear afterward from the wiz was "we fell in love with jump shots and stopped going to the rack."
well wheres the coach? isnt that his job. call timeout and say hey stop settling for 3s and take it to the hole.
hello coaches!!! that means you eddie jordan." - dk

@ dk, I completely agree with you on this. I hear all this analysis after games from EJ (proving he knows what's going on), but I wonder why the hell he has NO control of what's going on DURING the game!

For example, Houston game, Adelman tells his team at half to hit the boards much harder. Second half, Houston is a different team on the boards. I wish that same sort of mechanism existed with the Wiz. So, it's one of two things, weak coaching or complete lack of execution on the player's part, which still points to weak coaching!!!

@ Ivan

Your analysis was spot on!

Please ask Eddie

1) Did he think it was a mistake to play GA 17 straight minutes in the second half?
2) Why did we stop doubling LeBron down the stretch?

Posted by: Rob P | April 19, 2008 11:51 PM

"The entire game was being called with touch fouls (along with hard ones), with a HEAVY bias towards Cleveland. Szczerbiak gets to launch himself laterally at Haywood, with no true attempt at a shot, and we get called. Jamison gets T'd for doing the exact same thing that Z and Ben Wallace were doing. Haywood gets a phantom offensive foul on Lebron because Lebron decides to flop" - psp

@ psp

Funny! I saw a little bias for sure, but not game changing. The Wally play was absolutely absurd and Jamison got mauled as much as LeTravel with virtually no calls. Two of Haywood's fouls were phantom LeTravel calls. One - drive to the basket where BH actually backed away after LeTravel traveled, but still got the foul call bc he missed the layup. Two - the extending by LeTravel over BH to snatch the jump ball late in the game only to lose his balance and fall backwards. Another travel for LeTravel...nope...foul BH.

Are you going to point out the foul call discrepancy to the media and/or LeTravel's travels? Van Gundy, Riley, Jackson would be going crazy about now. Funny how they are not too shabby at the coaching "thing".

Posted by: Rob P | April 20, 2008 12:09 AM

how come jerry sloan never gets any love for coach of year. the guy is a freakin genius who does it year in and year out with players that no one else wanted. i mean they are just a lunch pail group that goes to work and balls every game. nuthin fancy just fundamentally sound and they destroy.
now theres a special coach and a great team.

Posted by: dk | April 20, 2008 12:13 AM

Gilby scored most of his points from long distance bombs and jump shots. Towards the end of the 4th quarter with the game close, he chose to drive against his man, and then throw up shots that weren't even close, while adding a dash of hollywood to his reaction. No ref is going to give a bailout call to a guy who's still a few steps slow and has been scoring most of his points on long J's all night.

Gilby shot 50% in the game, and shot 5 free throws, which means most of his shots were probably from long distance. If his shooting percentage was lower, then I'd expect him to go to the charity stripe more, but it wasn't.

I'm glad Gilby made the 35 footer, but tell me where there's a play in the book for someone to take a 35 ft. shot while the rest of the team is standing there watching.

People were saying Caron was off, but he shot 50% and got 10 shots off in 40 minutes. People are blasting AJ, but he scored 23 pts. and had 19 rebs. Gilby only played 28 minutes but made 50% on 16 shots!

I can't fault EJ if he wants to resort to Gilby if Gilby was 100%, but Gilby is not 100%. AD going 20 minutes and taking 4 shots with 1 assist is not the answer.

If EJ wants to win, Les BouleS need to stick to the formula that got them there, and that is teamwork and sharing the ball.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:14 AM

With regard to not getting calls from refs, people need to remember that Les BouleS is a jump shooting team. That includes AJ, DS, and Gilby (this season). Caron is the only guy who's looking to go inside. When you attack, you get calls, and the Cavs attacked.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:17 AM

Ivan,
My questions would be
1. What was Arenas and Hubbard conversation about?
2. What's his plan for when Brenden is in foul trouble? Songalia and Blatche doesn't work against Z. His numbers were just too high.
3. Is he committed to Gil coming off the bench because Gil is not 100% or because without Gil at the jump the offense can establish some good patterns? (I happen to like him coming off the bench and hope this doesn't change for a while.)
4. Why'd they stop doubling James? (yes others began to hit some threes but you have to live with that.)

Posted by: BmoreRev | April 20, 2008 12:19 AM

key play of game, 86-84 cavs leading with the ball. james dribbling one on one against destink. james doesnt pull up for an acrobatic jumper. he just blows right past destink leaving destink in his dust 5 ft behind as james cruises in for a layup and the game. nuthin fancy. just a stra8 drive past the great defensive stalwart pulling his usual madador defense.
game.

Posted by: dk | April 20, 2008 12:24 AM

Just got done watching the Cavs/Wizards game one and I am in complete disgust with the way that the game was officiated. LeBron James and the Cavaliers were getting call, after call, after call and shot 37 free throws in the game. That is absolutely ridiculous. Cleveland shot 20 more free throws than Washington and this to me, is not even the great offense. The fact that James is getting phantom calls and fluke whistles should surprise only the greatest of fools, but I am at a loss as to why Gilbert Arenas, undeniably one of the biggest names in the game, is not receiving the same courtesy when he attacks the rim? I am not blaming the officials for the Wizards loss, but I am saying that there is an undeniable inherent advantage to having the name James stitched across the back of your jersey. I don't think it is at all out of line to question the integrity of the officials after the Donaghy scandal that plagued the leagues image this summer, the NBA's reputation as a fair and balanced league has been in question dating back to the Knicks winning the draft lottery to land Patrick Ewing. Game one was a complete joke and I really hope for the players and fans sake that the rest of the series does not continue in similar fashion, otherwise the NBA is really questioning our intelligence as basketball fans, I for one will not stand for it, though. If Eddie Jordan doesn't call out the refs, then I'm going to be pissed off... I guarantee you Phil Jackson/Pat Riley (Throw in JVG if you find him worthy enough to resemble) would be livid right now about the way LeTravel and Co. are getting all of the love, and they would call the refs out about it. It certainly can't hurt, obviously we should have won, Jamison missing 3 shots wide open shots in a row and Caron Butler not exploiting an obvious mismatch are probably the two key reasons we lost, but the foul discrepancy simply cannot be ignored.

Posted by: Jason | April 20, 2008 12:26 AM

Simple, Lebron went to the finals last season...Gilby didn't. The bigger stars get the bigger calls.

No call can be as bad as the no call between MJ and Bryon Russell.

It's like boxing. If you want to ensure a win, you knock the guy out. You can't leave it in the judge's hands. Les BouleS could have knocked the Cavs out, but they didn't.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:30 AM

@ dk

Yeah, can we do a sign and trade? GA for Jerry Sloan. I would actually seriously consider that one!

Nice article by Mike Wise.

Posted by: Rob P | April 20, 2008 12:32 AM

Just got done watching the Cavs/Wizards game one and I am in complete disgust with the way that the game was officiated.
Posted by: Jason | April 20, 2008 12:26 AM

newsflash: and bush has been president for 2 terms.
hey jason did you just jump on the bus. guess you havent been watching the past few years rook.

thats the reality of these games. bfd! live wit it. the wiz lost cause they stunk up the joint in the 4th. forget the refs, that comes with the territory.
deal with it.
just make some blasted shots next time, play a little d and keep the ball away from destink stevenson.

wiz have no one to blame but themselves.
no one~~~

Posted by: dk | April 20, 2008 12:34 AM

btw did any1 here watch the jazz game. every time houston tried to make a run, the jazz answered with a beautifully called play down low for a basket.

did any1 notice that the wiz didnt have 1 good play called in the final few minutes. they were all bad panic shots. where the heck is the playcalling. where is the coaching.
when it matters, ej is nowhere to be found.

Posted by: dk | April 20, 2008 1:07 AM

Gilbert is the most self centered player. The end of the game became his own personal attempt to prove his worth. Well, from what I saw, he's not worth half as much as he thinks. Whatever happened to rotating the ball? We're back to everyone standing around watching Gil. I was far more impressed by this year's team without him. Everyone had a role and contributed. They brought out the best in one another. Now, it's back to giving it to Gil..... and back to losing.

Posted by: LK | April 19, 2008 9:54 PM

That was posted by me. I want to start using different names since everyone has caught on to me.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:26 AM

btw gilbert hitting those 3s in the first half was fools gold. cause every1 stopped playin offense. so as soon as he went cold, which he did in the 2nd half, there was no ball movement left, just like with the old gilbert wiz.

Posted by: dk | April 19, 2008 10:27 PM

That was me too.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:27 AM

"Seemed like Gilbert had no intention of passing the ball in the last few minutes of the game. Were the other players frustrated to be standing around while he kept trying to force the ball inside? Did he, in fact, take the team out of the rhythm that had made them successful all season?

Posted by: Vandy | April 19, 2008 7:22 PM "

I couldn't agree more, but I think Gilby puts too much pressure on himself to be the hero to get the fame. He should trust in his teammates and EJ should trust in the rest of the guys to let them run a play.

If EJ comes out with another excuse that "I'll take that shot anytime with Gilby," he needs to be slapped. Les BouleS got to where they are now with the other 11 guys on the team not named Gilby. Don't ruin a winning formula.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:23 PM

I didn't post that

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:32 AM

"Seemed like Gilbert had no intention of passing the ball in the last few minutes of the game. Were the other players frustrated to be standing around while he kept trying to force the ball inside? Did he, in fact, take the team out of the rhythm that had made them successful all season?

Posted by: Vandy | April 19, 2008 7:22 PM "

I couldn't agree more, but I think Gilby puts too much pressure on himself to be the hero to get the fame. He should trust in his teammates and EJ should trust in the rest of the guys to let them run a play.

If EJ comes out with another excuse that "I'll take that shot anytime with Gilby," he needs to be slapped. Les BouleS got to where they are now with the other 11 guys on the team not named Gilby. Don't ruin a winning formula.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:23 PM

I didn't post that

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:32 AM

Yes I did

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:33 AM

"Seemed like Gilbert had no intention of passing the ball in the last few minutes of the game. Were the other players frustrated to be standing around while he kept trying to force the ball inside? Did he, in fact, take the team out of the rhythm that had made them successful all season?

Posted by: Vandy | April 19, 2008 7:22 PM "

I couldn't agree more, but I think Gilby puts too much pressure on himself to be the hero to get the fame. He should trust in his teammates and EJ should trust in the rest of the guys to let them run a play.

If EJ comes out with another excuse that "I'll take that shot anytime with Gilby," he needs to be slapped. Les BouleS got to where they are now with the other 11 guys on the team not named Gilby. Don't ruin a winning formula.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:23 PM

I'm Vandy

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:34 AM

Did Soulja boy show up at the game or was there just some obvious guy with a bag over his head?

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:50 PM

Speaking of head, I like to give HEAD

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:36 AM

Did Soulja boy show up at the game or was there just some obvious guy with a bag over his head?

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 19, 2008 11:50 PM

Speaking of head, I like to give HEAD

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:36 AM

I didn't post that because I don't give head. I'd like to give Gilby Head one day though.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:37 AM

Gilby scored most of his points from long distance bombs and jump shots. Towards the end of the 4th quarter with the game close, he chose to drive against his man, and then throw up shots that weren't even close, while adding a dash of hollywood to his reaction. No ref is going to give a bailout call to a guy who's still a few steps slow and has been scoring most of his points on long J's all night.

Gilby shot 50% in the game, and shot 5 free throws, which means most of his shots were probably from long distance. If his shooting percentage was lower, then I'd expect him to go to the charity stripe more, but it wasn't.

I'm glad Gilby made the 35 footer, but tell me where there's a play in the book for someone to take a 35 ft. shot while the rest of the team is standing there watching.

People were saying Caron was off, but he shot 50% and got 10 shots off in 40 minutes. People are blasting AJ, but he scored 23 pts. and had 19 rebs. Gilby only played 28 minutes but made 50% on 16 shots!

I can't fault EJ if he wants to resort to Gilby if Gilby was 100%, but Gilby is not 100%. AD going 20 minutes and taking 4 shots with 1 assist is not the answer.

If EJ wants to win, Les BouleS need to stick to the formula that got them there, and that is teamwork and sharing the ball.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:14 AM

I'm so glad Gilby played 17 straight minutes. The sweat dripping of his body was so sexy.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:41 AM

Simple, Lebron went to the finals last season...Gilby didn't. The bigger stars get the bigger calls.

No call can be as bad as the no call between MJ and Bryon Russell.

It's like boxing. If you want to ensure a win, you knock the guy out. You can't leave it in the judge's hands. Les BouleS could have knocked the Cavs out, but they didn't.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:30 AM

That wasn't me

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:43 AM

Simple, Lebron went to the finals last season...Gilby didn't. The bigger stars get the bigger calls.

No call can be as bad as the no call between MJ and Bryon Russell.

It's like boxing. If you want to ensure a win, you knock the guy out. You can't leave it in the judge's hands. Les BouleS could have knocked the Cavs out, but they didn't.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:30 AM

That wasn't me

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:43 AM

I didn't post that

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:44 AM

Simple, Lebron went to the finals last season...Gilby didn't. The bigger stars get the bigger calls.

No call can be as bad as the no call between MJ and Bryon Russell.

It's like boxing. If you want to ensure a win, you knock the guy out. You can't leave it in the judge's hands. Les BouleS could have knocked the Cavs out, but they didn't.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:30 AM

That wasn't me

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:43 AM

I didn't post that

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:44 AM

Stop doing that. People won't know when it's the real me anymore. I need this forum, I have nothing else to do.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:46 AM

Mike Wise said it best. Can someone get a quote from DS, or has he gone into seclusion? From "can't feel my face" to "have no face."

""It's one game," Jordan said. "They drew first blood. We have enough faith and belief in our system to say, look what happened: We held them to 39 percent [shooting]. We did a good job rebounding. They won some skirmishes, but now we have to make some adjustments, not a lot because if we score on four or five of those possessions and get good looks, it's a different ballgame.""

I hope DS and Gilby come out with another list of quotes before Monday. It'll make them look more stupid than they already are.

I'm glad to see that EJ is not making the pathetic excuses that others here are making about the refs favoring #23. The job that the refs did, was straight professional and flawless.

""We didn't drive the ball as much as we should have," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "We didn't get to the free throw line. I know they shot maybe 20 more free throws, but that's nobody's fault but ours. When you are in the bonus with 7:30 to go, you've got to get the ball to the basket. We settled and we missed.""

Meaning, AJ and Gilby settled, and they missed.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 1:55 AM

You Wiz fans are unreal. The whole team including the coach admitted to basically wanting to injure lebron every time he came into the lane and then you go and complain about the officiating? A. the wiz are a jump shooting team. take the ball to the damn hole and youll get more foul calls. B. When the refs know the other team is trying to foul someone hard everytime he goes to the hole forgive them for calling fouls.

And this whole traveling thing is making me sick. Yes, lebron gets away with a walk here and there, but SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. I dont give a flying f what Ivan Carter says. 2 and a half steps is the rule. Also, on lebrons last dribble, that step DOESNT COUNT TOWARDS HIS TWO AND A HALF! All wizard fans need to go to youtube and watch the winning play from game 5 two years ago. I SWEAR TO GOD LEBRON DOESNT TAKE MORE THAN ONE FREAKING STEP AFTER HIS LAST DRIBBLE!!! And ALL OF YOU were complaining he traveled there. You people are ridiculous! Ivan Carter says lebron travels, so you all believe it. Its just like when stevenson says lebron is overrated. Its absolutely asinine but YOULL ALL BELIEVE IT! Nice game deshawn... 1-9. freaking tool

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 1:59 AM

Why FU{K do the Cav's fans keep coming to our site. I don't blame them for being bitter since it's been like 40+ years since that city has gotten a sports championship.

Posted by: Bangladesh | April 20, 2008 2:02 AM

Why FU{K do the Cav's fans keep coming to our site. I don't blame them for being bitter since it's been like 40+ years since that city has gotten a sports championship.

Posted by: Bangladesh | April 20, 2008 2:02 AM

Just because I love the Cav's doesn't mean I can't come to the Wiz site. I need something to do until we finally win a championship in Cleveland. I hope Gilby opts out and comes to the Cav's. He's already good friends with Damon Jones and Lebron.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 2:05 AM

"where was the freakin coaching in this game. all you hear afterward from the wiz was "we fell in love with jump shots and stopped going to the rack."

You can't stop something you never started. Have you actually seen the Wizards play? Ever? The Wizards are a jumpshooting team. Always have been. The only guy they have with any real proficiency at driving the ball to the hole is coming off knee surgery and 60+ games of inactivity and is still trying to get his legs/wind back. Butler is decently capable at it, but it's clear he's not 100%. How often have you ever seen Jamison or Stevenson create a shot off the dribble? You can't expect them to start doing something in the playoffs that they haven't been doing all season.

Posted by: kalorama | April 20, 2008 3:14 AM

Hey Ivan. Im really concerned with Caron. He looks very average out there. And it's really showing on the defensive end. And offensively, i dont understand why he didnt blow by Wally on several occasions. We need him to step up if we wanna win this series. And if he is indeed still injured, why the hell doesnt Nick Young get some PT. We sure coud've used his scoring last night.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 5:01 AM

It was a rugged game...Butler couldnt blow past anyone but the biggest issue was the last part of the game. Wiz choked terribly, no stand up on defense, just more post game whining. LBJ could have gotten about 5 more calls the way he was hit today. But if the Wiz only plan is rough him up, they are in the deep stuff. Arenas choked when the game was there to be won by either side. James made plays.

Posted by: DC in Cleveland | April 20, 2008 7:52 AM

We need production on offense. Even if it is just 2 points from all the players who had 0. That would have changed the game so much it's ridiculous.

Posted by: B.A.M. | April 20, 2008 9:17 AM

The media not surprisingly really hyped this trash talking line. It IS interesting and newsworthy. But as I understand it, DeShawn on the run hollers back to a writer that LeBron is "overrated," this following a Wiz victory over the Cavs in which a well-defended LeBron misses what would have been a game-winner. LeBron IS a formidable player (one of the very best), but of course he's overrated. The Cavs and corporate image of LeBron is that he is the Messiah. "I am a witness" with photo of LeBron, arms upraised to heaven, indeed. Absurd. Such marketing clowns have no clue about the imagery they're glomming on to.) I believe DS when he says that the trash talking didn't start with him that night. Now because the Cavs won a close one with LeBron having a great game and DeShawn having a poor one, some are jumping all over DS(esp. dk, who must have been turned down for an autograph or something. Really, dk, you make some good points but you're overboard about DS.) For some the reaction seems to be: "You've riled up LeBron, now he's gonna whup our a$$! It's all your fault, DS!" Relax and stop panicking. Let DS and the Wiz adjust. Stop with the recriminations. I worry that some Wiz player(s) might read this forum. All this panicked blaming can do no good. And let's put things into perspective: the national media is giving the impression that the Wiz are a trash talking team. It's just not so. DS utters a short sentence and GA expresses the hope that we start with the Cavs. To my knowledge, that was it. Monday night will clear a lot of this up. Go Wiz!

Posted by: 7snider7 | April 20, 2008 9:52 AM

I will say it again. The Wizards lost a winnable game, foul calls to the contrary notwithstanding.

Now I know that DeShawn had a downer game, but it should be said that the ONE trey he did hit was the shot that gave the Wizards their last lead at 84-82, which showed some guts. After that, the rest of the team went into jump shot mode, and it is clear that they collectively realize the folly of this.

One game does not make a series. The question is this, assuming the Wizards play OK again, and again find themselves in the same position with 2:32 to go in game two... Do they believe from the coach on down that this time they will rise to the challenge, keep attacking and silence the Quicken Loans (do they do second mortgages?) crowd?

If they believe they can do it, they will do it and we will win the series.

Otherwise, it will be a long, and very unpleasant offseason.

Posted by: khrabb | April 20, 2008 10:49 AM

Other than Arenas, Wizards shot 2 for 21 for 3 pointers, less than 10%! This has to improve.

After Haywood picked up his 4th foul, EJ played Songaila against Z (I was saying "not again" in front of my TV). Why not Blatche, who played less than 9 minutes? True, he didn't score any point and got only two rebounds, but Songaila played 20 minutes, shot 1 for 6, and grabbed only 4 rebounds. I would not call that a better performance at all!

Cavs got 7 offensive rebounds, and they made their second chance count; Wizards got 10 offensive rebounds, but often came up empty for their second chance (mostly from the premier).

Haywood played well. For the first 10 minutes he was the only one who prevented Cavs from building a huge lead. Jamison played well too, 19 rebounds, but 3-pt shots just won't fall.

Posted by: Sagaliba | April 20, 2008 11:00 AM

The Wiz bench looked intimidated. It was hard to believe that Roger Mason struggled to find his shot. Blatche played hard D in the first quarter, but could not find his shot either. DSong did not contribute much. We can't expect Gil to come off the bench to take over. His legs looked weak, as he tried to drive to the basket. We need big games from Jamison; Butler's nowhere near 100%. Guys need to get over the mental hump. We need to show some heart. We gotta play like we want to win. Let's continue the physical game.. do not back down now.

Posted by: Costa | April 20, 2008 11:26 AM

"Wally Szczerbiak simply can't be allowed to defend Caron Butler even if as was the case today..."

Caron looks awful, period.

If Wally World can defend him, then what does that say about Caron right now?

Ivan,

Please ask Jordan if he is going to continue to use the bench that help get him to the playoffs in the first place?

I honestly don't understand why you change what got you there. Right now he looks like the "old" Eddie Jordan with his roations, fouls or no fouls.

I understand that he wants to give the vets more minutes, but Nick Young came on really strong at the end of the season and Roger Mason looked like a deer in headlights out there yesterday. I'm undecided on Blatche right now because he was asked to play as a "starter" with Brendan in foul trouble.

Ivan, you can name several plays in the 4th but when it came down to it people were missing wide open shots.

It's the playoffs, it's unacceptable.

And tell "Soulja Boy" he better pick up his game after all of that smack he said on Lebron. Right now he's having his way with him and Stevenson does look like the "dumbest player in history" right now.

"Butler got called for traveling when he made the same exact move James always makes on the break."

Yup, I saw that. Lebron takes three steps everytime now. It's getting out of hand and League needs to say something to the refs. I wish someone would come out and say something, even if they get fined.

Bottom line is your team reflects your coach and I thought EJ got outcoached again. The Wiz have WAY more talent then the Cavs, yesterday should never have happend like that.

Gilbert will start by game 3, count on it. AD turns the ball over too much.

- Ray

Posted by: Ray | April 20, 2008 11:31 AM

Gotta attack the boards when the Cavs are in the penalty at the end or either stack the points in the beginning so the Cavs don't come back. The Wizards will take Game 2 tomorrow.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 11:35 AM

EJ needs to take a stand right now and say that the officiating was terrible. Thats not why they lost but it was a factor in the game. I don't care if he gets fined or suspended, in fact, i don't really know what hes doing in the huddle after yesterday.

Posted by: Matt | April 20, 2008 11:41 AM

The "overrated" remark is treated as blasphemy by the bombastic likes of Steven A. Smith, Jim Rome and others. It's not. It's possible for a player to be great and still be overrated. LeWhine is great AND overrated. 'Nuff said.

As for game two ... Look, the offense will come. Let's not worry too much about that. I worry about Butler's relative health, and I worry about Arenas disrupting the flow of the offense from time to time. But the O will be there.

The greater worry is this: Are the refs going to continue to let Cleveland get away with its unattractive brand of thug-ball? They go over-the-back on nearly every contested rebound, they commit fouls on every other possession -- and no whistle.

Beyond the unattractive brand of thug-ball: Is there any team in the league that's more unappealing than this one?

Delonte West looks like some Dickens-era street urchin who time traveled and ended up running shotgun in the Crips. Wallace is a nostril-flaring brute. Szcerbiak is morose and entitled. Z's a lumbering oaf; looks like he does the dump-the-body dirty work for the slick-talking crew chief.

And then there's James -- sullen, smug, whiny. A supreme talent, but, unlike the greats, he feels compelled to humiliate his opponent. Not merely does he want to beat them; no, he must vanquish them. Conquer, but also sneer and beat his chest and pronounce his greatness. Blech.

He's arguably the least compelling great player the NBA has ever seen.

And to think the media love to sniff his jock, and complain about Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Rip Hamilton, etc.

Seriously, this is the team the NBA wants to be in the mix for the finals?

For the good of the league, for the sake of basketball lovers everywhere -- I am counting on Jordan and the Wizards to make the necessary adjustments this next game. To meet thug with thug and throw James into the basket support a couple of times. No player is bigger than the NBA.

Posted by: denton | April 20, 2008 11:42 AM

But who's the enforcer on the wizards after Etan is out? I vote for Pesch

Posted by: Matt | April 20, 2008 11:47 AM

I think not driving to the basket killed the Wizards in the 4th quarter. Why shoot jumpers when Cleveland was already in the penalty with 7 minutes left? Everybody should have been driving and posting people up. Instead we fell in love with jumpers that weren't falling.

And where was Caron Butler? I know he's injured and all but he didn't show up at all. AJ's shot wasn't falling early but he made for it in rebounds.

Somebody better wake Roger Mason up.

Posted by: Bart | April 20, 2008 11:49 AM

Sure they let LeBron walk all over the court yesterday but they didn't call some obvious fouls against him either. I think the refs were ok in that first game. Of course since this is the NBA, stars are always gonna be treated differently. That's just a fact of playing in the NBA. And that's the reason it's just so so hard to win anything without at least 1 bona fide star on your team. In the NFL, players like Tom Brady become stars AFTER winning. In the NBA, the LeBrons become stars BEFORE winning anything.

Posted by: Bart | April 20, 2008 11:55 AM

Notice LeBron's tone mid-game, and even after the game. While Gil tried to tone down in the post-game interview, LeBron continued to say that they will not back down and will not be intimidated by the Wiz. He's ready to battle. The Wiz need to stay in that mode. It's the frigging playoffs.

Posted by: Costa | April 20, 2008 11:57 AM

I still feel that the Wiz can win these series. We have a better arsenal as a team than the Cavs. LeBron alone can't win these series. We lost the game due to our mental block. Caron-Wally is the biggest mismatch. Roger Mason was a total disappointment - he looked like a fish out of the water. DeShawn looked scared. We have a better team..

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 12:06 PM

Agree, Arenas gave others the ball but they couldnt shoot, missed all the 3pointers. Finally, he had to try something himself. It reminded me of a football game when the quarter back gives the passes and the receiver drops them, but the quarterback's stats looks horrendous. He finally tries a quarterback sneak or something to get the yardage.
Also, this is where not having Etan is showing, it would seem like he could have helped with guarding the post.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 12:40 PM

Yeah, but too bad Arenas couldn't do anything himself in the 4th quarter.

He didn't have the quickness to blow by Delonte West for an easy bucket, but instead, relied on the refs to bail him out. Arenas had no impact in the 4th quarter, and he called himself mr. 4th quarter. Laughable...

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 12:46 PM

Ivan, can you get a quote from DS on why he had no impact against Lebron, and whether he's considering taking back his accusation that Lebron is overrated?

Ivan, also, can you ask Gilby how he felt when Danny Gibson gave him 3 moves that freaked him out of his "Gil Zeroes?" Gilby was literally embarrassed on that move, and might have had both ankles broken.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:55 PM

Some say Arenas is not fully in NBA shape yet. That is one issue. Plus the Wizards did not shoot well in a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter when Mason and Jamison had open looks.

One thing about the Wizards this year, during the regular season anyway, they have usually bounced back from bad games where they looked like they would be knocked out (or even bad stretches of games).

It will be interesting to see if this will happen in the playoffs.

Posted by: Tim | April 20, 2008 12:56 PM

Did anyone see Blatche hit Lebron in the mouth and not get called?Did anyone see Arenas constantly pushing off with his elbow and not get called? You all also need to watch the tape in slow motion and notice that, usually, Lebron does not travel. Also, Z usually maintains his pivot foot when he goes up and under. When he doesn't, he gets called. Bottom line, sometimes Lebron gets away with a travel, sometimes he gets mugged on the way to the hole with no call. Sometimes Arenas gets hit and doesn't get a call. Many times he leads with his elbow and doesn't get called. Generally, it balances out.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 12:57 PM

I'm glad EJ sees and voices that it wasn't the ref's fault that they lost. They just settled for too many J's and were lackadaisical. If the coach isn't making excuses, then everyone here should shut their weak excuses down.

""We didn't drive the ball as much as we should have," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "We didn't get to the free throw line. I know they shot maybe 20 more free throws, but that's nobody's fault but ours. When you are in the bonus with 7:30 to go, you've got to get the ball to the basket. We settled and we missed.""

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 1:13 PM

"Why not Blatche, who played less than 9 minutes? "

Because when Haywood rested in the first half, Blatche was ineffective against Ilgauskas. He couldn't keep Z from backing him down into the lane and picked up a foul trying. For the few minutes they were matched up head-to-head Songaila at least was able to offer some resistance to Z physically, and even forced a turnover by slapping the ball away when Ilgauskas tried to spin towards the baseline. Blatche is simply not strong enough to defend Ilgauskas down low.

Posted by: kalorama | April 20, 2008 1:20 PM

Yeah, but too bad Arenas couldn't do anything himself in the 4th quarter.

He didn't have the quickness to blow by Delonte West for an easy bucket, but instead, relied on the refs to bail him out. Arenas had no impact in the 4th quarter, and he called himself mr. 4th quarter. Laughable...

Posted by: | April 20, 2008 12:46 PM

Yeah that's me

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:21 PM

Arenas tried to take over at the end and stopped moving the ball. Caron looks like he's still hurting. They stopped attacking the basket and playing physical D they started with. Mason looked nervous. They gotta move the ball on offense, attack the basket. Mason, DeShawn, Blatche and Songaila gotta get some buckets. Caron and Antawn gotta score inside. Haywood played good. I thought Blatche had alot of energy at first. We could really use Etan in this series.

Posted by: Darnell | April 20, 2008 1:22 PM

Ivan, can you get a quote from DS on why he had no impact against Lebron, and whether he's considering taking back his accusation that Lebron is overrated?

Ivan, also, can you ask Gilby how he felt when Danny Gibson gave him 3 moves that freaked him out of his "Gil Zeroes?" Gilby was literally embarrassed on that move, and might have had both ankles broken.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 12:55 PM

It's hard for me to be a Cav's fan in DC, pretending to be a Wiz fan. I think everyone is catching on.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:23 PM

True that. Once the coach resorts to excuses (e.g. ref not being fair), then that gives the players an out for why they failed to beat the Cavs.

The Cavs have beaten the Wiz two years in a row in the playoffs. No more excuses.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 1:24 PM

Gilby played a great 4th qtr. He drove and kicked out. He tried to drive to the hoop and get fouls but when they collapsed on him he did the smart thing and kicked out to the open man. Which was AJ and Mason. They missed though. As much as I liked to, you can't blame that on Gilby. He drove like 6 times and kicked out. Nothing came out of it. At the end, he saw that the Cavs were getting the calls on offense so he figured if he drove he would get the calls. Unfortunately, he didn't get the calls even though he was fouled just about every time. If Jamison or Mason would have made atleast one of those 3's from Gilby's great passes, Wiz would have won.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:28 PM

Gilby sucks and lost the game. He wanted to be bailed out by the refs, but they weren't having any of his nonsense. He didn't make any shots in the 4th quarter anyway. Maybe Gilby's ankles were broken by Danny Gibson and they were still bothering him. Gotta be.

NO WAY...MAX NOTHING....

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 1:33 PM

The way Gilby came out blazing was just amazing. I'm starting to change my mind. He is an electrifying superstar worthy of being the franchise player. And think about, Gilby just had 2 knee surgeries and not in game condition. It's just too bad Jordan played him 17 straight minutes. Maybe he should have given a 2 minute break or something in between the 17 minutes. Considering that, he still did all he could to keep the Wiz in it.

He got everyone involved, passed to the wide open man every time. He didn't take any bad shots. Even that 40 footer wasn't a bad shot. It was with the clock winding down. Unbelievable shot. His teammates were very excited after that. It got them pumped with energy.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:33 PM

Gilby sucks and lost the game. He wanted to be bailed out by the refs, but they weren't having any of his nonsense. He didn't make any shots in the 4th quarter anyway. Maybe Gilby's ankles were broken by Danny Gibson and they were still bothering him. Gotta be.

NO WAY...MAX NOTHING....

Posted by: | April 20, 2008 1:33 PM

Gilby did everything he was supposed to. His teammates didn't connect on his great passes. Gilby made a couple of FGs in the 4th and hit all his FTs. He could have had 8 assists in the 4th qtr alone had his teammates hit his passes.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 1:36 PM

Gilby had 0 TO's, 24pts, shot 8-16, 3pt fg 4-5, FT 4-4 (all in 4th qtr), 3 assists (could have been a lot more) in just 17 minutes. What more could Gilby do? You can blame this game on numerous things, but not on Gilby.

I can't wait to see what he does in game 2. If Caron shows up and everyone is making their normal shots, Wiz win in blowout.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 2:05 PM

"Why not Blatche, who played less than 9 minutes? "

Because when Haywood rested in the first half, Blatche was ineffective against Ilgauskas. He couldn't keep Z from backing him down into the lane and picked up a foul trying. For the few minutes they were matched up head-to-head Songaila at least was able to offer some resistance to Z physically, and even forced a turnover by slapping the ball away when Ilgauskas tried to spin towards the baseline. Blatche is simply not strong enough to defend Ilgauskas down low.

Posted by: kalorama | April 20, 2008 1:20 PM

It is pathetic to argue that Songaila had played better than Blatche in game 1. He had what? One deflection? Had Baltche played as many minutes as Songaila he might manage to smack big Z in the mouth like he did LeBron. LOL

The problem is not just guarding Z, Songaila is so "vertical challenged," he cannot help out against the drive and protect the paint.

Posted by: Sagaliba | April 20, 2008 3:27 PM

Gilby played a great 4th qtr. He drove and kicked out. He tried to drive to the hoop and get fouls but when they collapsed on him he did the smart thing and kicked out to the open man. Which was AJ and Mason. They missed though. As much as I liked to, you can't blame that on Gilby. He drove like 6 times and kicked out. Nothing came out of it. At the end, he saw that the Cavs were getting the calls on offense so he figured if he drove he would get the calls. Unfortunately, he didn't get the calls even though he was fouled just about every time. If Jamison or Mason would have made atleast one of those 3's from Gilby's great passes, Wiz would have won.

Posted by: Rook | April 20, 2008 4:17 PM

Gilby had 0 TO's, 24pts, shot 8-16, 3pt fg 4-5, FT 4-4 (all in 4th qtr), 3 assists (could have been a lot more) in just 17 minutes. What more could Gilby do? You can blame this game on numerous things, but not on Gilby.

I can't wait to see what he does in game 2. If Caron shows up and everyone is making their normal shots, Wiz win in blowout.

Posted by: GM | April 20, 2008 4:18 PM

Rough game...mainly because we had them early and let them come back, then we let them get the upper hand in the final quarter.

Game was lost because we couldn't get to the charity stripe--it's a damn shame too, because if we had only a FEW more FT's that means we win. Time to stop just shooting jumpers and get up in somebody's grill.

That being said, stop hating on Arenas...he is obviously not in NBA shape yet and gets winded at the end of his minutes. He always starts really strong, and some of his recent play suggests he has matured a great deal (especially his drive and kick-out), but he suffers late. My roommates all noticed that he looked "chubby" to them...obviously not ready to start yet, so give him some time to get himself together.

I really pray Caron gets himself together too...those steals were great, and at times he looked fine, but we need Caron at his best.

All that being said, it will be interesting to see how James' back holds up over the series, especially if the Wiz start winning. Hang on to the edge of your seats, people, this one is gonna get wild before it's done...

Posted by: Crunkenstein | April 20, 2008 4:18 PM

You Wiz fans are unreal. The whole team including the coach admitted to basically wanting to injure lebron every time he came into the lane and then you go and complain about the officiating? A. the wiz are a jump shooting team. take the ball to the damn hole and youll get more foul calls. B. When the refs know the other team is trying to foul someone hard everytime he goes to the hole forgive them for calling fouls.

And this whole traveling thing is making me sick. Yes, lebron gets away with a walk here and there, but SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. I dont give a flying f what Ivan Carter says. 2 and a half steps is the rule. Also, on lebrons last dribble, that step DOESNT COUNT TOWARDS HIS TWO AND A HALF! All wizard fans need to go to youtube and watch the winning play from game 5 two years ago. I SWEAR TO GOD LEBRON DOESNT TAKE MORE THAN ONE FREAKING STEP AFTER HIS LAST DRIBBLE!!! And ALL OF YOU were complaining he traveled there. You people are ridiculous! Ivan Carter says lebron travels, so you all believe it. Its just like when stevenson says lebron is overrated. Its absolutely asinine but YOULL ALL BELIEVE IT! Nice game deshawn... 1-9. freaking tool

Posted by: mark | April 20, 2008 4:19 PM

lemmie get this stra8. destink stevenson called out lebron and got to back up his trash by guarding him.
hmmmm. lebron finished with 30 plus and destink finishes with 3.

but you all love destink cause the writers have stated over and over what a great defender he is. the 2nd coming of jared jeffries, who unfortunately was proclaimed to be naked once he got to ny.
couldnt score and couldnt cover. just like the new jeffries, err i mean destink stevenson.
maybe next time you should shut your trap stevenson if you cant back it up.

Posted by: Lisa | April 20, 2008 4:20 PM

Gilby did everything he was supposed to. His teammates didn't connect on his great passes. Gilby made a couple of FGs in the 4th and hit all his FTs. He could have had 8 assists in the 4th qtr alone had his teammates hit his passes.

Posted by: Lebron | April 20, 2008 4:27 PM

The way Gilby came out blazing was just amazing. I'm starting to change my mind. He is an electrifying superstar worthy of being the franchise player. And think about, Gilby just had 2 knee surgeries and not in game condition. It's just too bad Jordan played him 17 straight minutes. Maybe he should have given a 2 minute break or something in between the 17 minutes. Considering that, he still did all he could to keep the Wiz in it.

He got everyone involved, passed to the wide open man every time. He didn't take any bad shots. Even that 40 footer wasn't a bad shot. It was with the clock winding down. Unbelievable shot. His teammates were very excited after that. It got them pumped with energy.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 4:30 PM

This just in: gilbert has what the team is calling a sprained right wrist - shooting hand- and he did not practice today. He apparently did it when he and james collided at some point last night. The word is that he will likely play in game 2. More info soon.

I thought Gil would have a sprained right wrist from shooting too much.

Posted by: mark | April 20, 2008 4:32 PM

If that post was really from Ivan, and GA does play Monday, then I wonder if we'll be seeing less outside shooting from him. And what about his ball control? I doubt that Arenas would play if he didn't think he could shoot effectively, but I could be wrong.

Caron, we need your mojo.

Posted by: 7snider7 | April 20, 2008 4:54 PM

I missed the game live. I had to watch it on tape. I agree with Rook's and GM's assestment. AJ had "clear" looks at the basket and just missed. I do not know what happened to Mason in that game either. Gil did his job, AJ and CB just did not deliver.

The one thing I can hang my hat on is game two will be totally different if CB gets his legs back and AJ and Mason find their outside shot.

The Cleveland team is way weaker then the Hughes/Gooden version, so I am not worried. I think we will take game 2.

EJ's coaching was find this game, however I would not mind seeing him "spot" DMac some minutes just to play LaTravel hard and put him on the foul line (where he is not that good).

I would also like EJ to divide Gilbert's minutes up better in the second half. He was hot in the 2nd quarter and then he sat the rest of the 2nd and most of the 3rd quarter. When he got in he had got a little cold.

He needs to get him in around the 7 min mark of the 3rd and let him finish the quarter out. Sit him at the beginning of the 4th and bring him back around the 6 to 7 min mark of the 4th.

Posted by: Bullets Fever #1 | April 20, 2008 4:55 PM

Gilby had 0 TO's, 24pts, shot 8-16, 3pt fg 4-5, FT 4-4 (all in 4th qtr), 3 assists (could have been a lot more) in just 17 minutes. What more could Gilby do? You can blame this game on numerous things, but not on Gilby.

I can't wait to see what he does in game 2. If Caron shows up and everyone is making their normal shots, Wiz win in blowout.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 5:18 PM

You Wiz fans are unreal. The whole team including the coach admitted to basically wanting to injure lebron every time he came into the lane and then you go and complain about the officiating? A. the wiz are a jump shooting team. take the ball to the damn hole and youll get more foul calls. B. When the refs know the other team is trying to foul someone hard everytime he goes to the hole forgive them for calling fouls.

And this whole traveling thing is making me sick. Yes, lebron gets away with a walk here and there, but SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. I dont give a flying f what Ivan Carter says. 2 and a half steps is the rule. Also, on lebrons last dribble, that step DOESNT COUNT TOWARDS HIS TWO AND A HALF! All wizard fans need to go to youtube and watch the winning play from game 5 two years ago. I SWEAR TO GOD LEBRON DOESNT TAKE MORE THAN ONE FREAKING STEP AFTER HIS LAST DRIBBLE!!! And ALL OF YOU were complaining he traveled there. You people are ridiculous! Ivan Carter says lebron travels, so you all believe it. Its just like when stevenson says lebron is overrated. Its absolutely asinine but YOULL ALL BELIEVE IT! Nice game deshawn... 1-9. freaking tool

Posted by: mark | April 20, 2008 4:19 PM

You have to excuse me. I am a pathetic fan in Cleveland without any championships so I try to go to other city's websites and vent.

Posted by: Mark | April 20, 2008 5:19 PM

Gilby did everything he was supposed to. His teammates didn't connect on his great passes. Gilby made a couple of FGs in the 4th and hit all his FTs. He could have had 8 assists in the 4th qtr alone had his teammates hit his passes.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 5:20 PM

The way Gilby came out blazing was just amazing. I'm starting to change my mind. He is an electrifying superstar worthy of being the franchise player. And think about, Gilby just had 2 knee surgeries and not in game condition. It's just too bad Jordan played him 17 straight minutes. Maybe he should have given a 2 minute break or something in between the 17 minutes. Considering that, he still did all he could to keep the Wiz in it.

He got everyone involved, passed to the wide open man every time. He didn't take any bad shots. Even that 40 footer wasn't a bad shot. It was with the clock winding down. Unbelievable shot. His teammates were very excited after that. It got them pumped with energy.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 5:21 PM

Is there anything in the world more pathetic than cleveland fans - particularly the ones who come on a WIZARDS blog to flame? cleveland, the definition of utter futility in sports - lebron doesn't even care about cleveland, he wore a YANKEES hat to a cleveland playoff game - he is going to opt out of his contract the very first second he can, he's going to pack his drama queen bags and head to new york where they will pay him twice as much money - he will leave cleveland in the dust and never look back - and every time he comes back to cleveland to play the against the cavs - he will DELIGHT in making the fans as miserable as possible. But hey, cling on to your one and only hope of glory in your sports lives - but don't come back here crying when bron bron spits right in your face.

Posted by: Mattmail001 | April 20, 2008 5:24 PM

I would also like EJ to divide Gilbert's minutes up better in the second half. He was hot in the 2nd quarter and then he sat the rest of the 2nd and most of the 3rd quarter. When he got in he had got a little cold.

He needs to get him in around the 7 min mark of the 3rd and let him finish the quarter out. Sit him at the beginning of the 4th and bring him back around the 6 to 7 min mark of the 4th.

Posted by: Bullets Fever #1 | April 20, 2008 4:55 PM

Arenas picked up two quick fouls (totally cheapies, on the perimeter and off the ball) which is why EJ sat him down ... but I agree though - Gil looked great - he was on fire in the second quarter ... don't know what's going on with his wrist - I hope he can play - the Wiz will definitely need him.

Posted by: Mattmail001 | April 20, 2008 5:29 PM

An injured shooting wrist does the team no good, not even as a decoy. I hope this get better over the next 26 hours, but he might be best served to sit this one out and play in Game 3 Thursday, when he would have four days rest.

We do need to take one in Cleveland, and tomorrow still could be the day regardless, but a healthy Gil would give us the series...

Posted by: CN | April 20, 2008 5:44 PM

You wizards fans are such a joke. if the new york fans know the most about basketball, i think DC fans have to be near or at the bottom of the list.

HERE COME THE EXCUSES...NBA REFS GAVE IT TO LEBRON, GILBERT AND CARON ARE STILL HURTING, WE GAVE THE GAME AWAY, ETC. ETC. ETC.

bottom line is, gilbert ONCE AGAIN couldn't back up his trash talk, calling himself Mr. 4th quarter...more like Mr. 2nd quarter. i wonder if he's predicted a 50 pt game vs the cavs on his blog yet?

i think he thought he was lebron there in the 4th quarter, except lebron doesn't drive all the way to the hole and then airball 2 ft. layups LOL

what joke sideshow attraction GAYGENT ZERO he has become!!!

GO CAVS!

Posted by: Tom | April 20, 2008 6:01 PM

You wizards fans are such a joke. if the new york fans know the most about basketball, i think DC fans have to be near or at the bottom of the list.

HERE COME THE EXCUSES...NBA REFS GAVE IT TO LEBRON, GILBERT AND CARON ARE STILL HURTING, WE GAVE THE GAME AWAY, ETC. ETC. ETC.

bottom line is, gilbert ONCE AGAIN couldn't back up his trash talk, calling himself Mr. 4th quarter...more like Mr. 2nd quarter. i wonder if he's predicted a 50 pt game vs the cavs on his blog yet?

i think he thought he was lebron there in the 4th quarter, except lebron doesn't drive all the way to the hole and then airball 2 ft. layups LOL

what joke sideshow attraction GAYGENT ZERO he has become!!!

GO CAVS!

Posted by: Tom | April 20, 2008 6:01 PM

You have to excuse me. I am a pathetic fan in Cleveland without any championships for 40+ years so I try to go to other city's websites and vent.

Posted by: Tom | April 20, 2008 6:31 PM

"Arenas picked up two quick fouls (totally cheapies, on the perimeter and off the ball) which is why EJ sat him down ... but I agree though - Gil looked great - he was on fire in the second quarter ... don't know what's going on with his wrist - I hope he can play - the Wiz will definitely need him.

Posted by: Mattmail001 | April 20, 2008 5:29 PM "

For a guy who sat out early due to his foul issue, he still managed 28 points, so fouls are no excuse.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 20, 2008 7:57 PM

The way Gilby came out blazing was just amazing. I'm starting to change my mind. He is an electrifying superstar worthy of being the franchise player. And think about, Gilby just had 2 knee surgeries and not in game condition. It's just too bad Jordan played him 17 straight minutes. Maybe he should have given a 2 minute break or something in between the 17 minutes. Considering that, he still did all he could to keep the Wiz in it.

He got everyone involved, passed to the wide open man every time. He didn't take any bad shots. Even that 40 footer wasn't a bad shot. It was with the clock winding down. Unbelievable shot. His teammates were very excited after that. It got them pumped with energy.

Posted by: Lebron | April 20, 2008 7:58 PM

"Gilby did everything he was supposed to."

Which was to lose the game for his team.

LOL!

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 7:59 PM

I was a distributor in the first game....regardless of what people think....

a distributor of more BS.

Posted by: Gilby | April 20, 2008 8:01 PM

The way Gilby came out blazing was just amazing. I'm starting to change my mind. He is an electrifying superstar worthy of being the franchise player. And think about, Gilby just had 2 knee surgeries and not in game condition. It's just too bad Jordan played him 17 straight minutes. Maybe he should have given a 2 minute break or something in between the 17 minutes. Considering that, he still did all he could to keep the Wiz in it.

He got everyone involved, passed to the wide open man every time. He didn't take any bad shots. Even that 40 footer wasn't a bad shot. It was with the clock winding down. Unbelievable shot. His teammates were very excited after that. It got them pumped with energy.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 20, 2008 8:03 PM

Can someone tell me what a bounce pass is. Do you shoot the ball first and then when it misses, it bounces?

Huh?

Posted by: Gilby | April 20, 2008 8:07 PM

"Gilby did everything he was supposed to."

Which was to lose the game for his team.

LOL!

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 7:59 PM

You have to excuse me. I am player who plays in a pathetic city like Cleveland without any championships for 40+ years. It sucks being in this city so I surf other city's websites.

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 8:08 PM

I went to the finals last season. Wiz went on an early vacation.

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 8:37 PM

I went to the finals last season. Wiz went on an early vacation.

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 8:37 PM

I went to the finals last year and still kept the city's 40+ year drought going. Please get me out of this pathetic city!!!

Posted by: Boobie | April 20, 2008 9:00 PM

"The problem is not just guarding Z, Songaila is so "vertical challenged," he cannot help out against the drive and protect the paint."

The problem is guarding Z when the one guy on the team who does it well is sitting on the bench in foul trouble. And this ridiculous obsession with Songaila's vertical leap demonstrates your lack of knowledge about how effective defense is actually played.

Posted by: kalorama | April 20, 2008 9:45 PM

LOL, who do you call is obsessed with Songaila's (lack of) "vertical leap?"

Songaila being vertically challenged is a fact, and as such, he does not deter opponents from driving to the basket. Ivan also pointed out pretty mush the same thing without naming name: "When he (Haywood) had to sit after getting his fourth in the third quarter, the Cavs wisely started taking the ball to the basket and the Wizards didn't have anyone who could defend Zydrunas Ilgauskas and defend the rim."

If bringing this up hurts your feeling, so be it. Before you call anybody and everybody "obsessed," we know who is really "obsessed" (with defending Songaila).

Posted by: Sagaliba | April 21, 2008 10:22 AM

Again your ignorance shows. (What else is new?) Players don't need to be great leapers to defend inside. Dennis Rodman and Charles Oakley couldn't jump over an Amish phone book, but they deterred teams from driving inside by quite effectively by making them pay a price for it when they did. Marcus Camby is a great shotblockers. Doesn't change the fact that he plays on one of the worse defensive teams in the NBA.

None of which says Songaila is a great defender. Of course he's not. But anyone with any actual basketball sense knows that defending a big slow post player like Ilgauskas (who, by the way, can't jump over his own shadow) requires physical strength to keep him off the blocks, which Songaila has significantly more of than Blatche, making him a better choice to replace Haywood when he went out with fouls. Blatche's vertical leap didn't do much to stop Ilgauskas from backing him down under the basket at will in the first half, did it?

Idiot.

Posted by: kalorama | April 21, 2008 12:14 PM

I love this site, if you're busy or away for a few days somebody will always post for you. At least yesterday it wasn't a half bad post, except I NEVER use someone's beloved nickname for Arenas.

Seems someone blew a fuse online, I posted that, no I didn't post that? Another meltdown. That thing seems to happen when people won't stay on the Meds.

From skimming through the last couple of days posts, as bad as the Wizards played, if Butler cans an open three pointer from behind a screen on an inbound play that game would have been tied with about a minute left.

Happened to be close by on business and my sons bought me a ticket online. So I got to see my first playoff game rooting for my team in another city. I'm telling you the Cleveland fans were scared, they have alot more respect for the Wiz then some on this site. But nice people, we had some friendly back and forth.

LeBron can get a whole Arena just watching him waiting for him to do the next big thing. Doesn't seem to matter to a soul in the place including the officials that he may take 3 steps to do it. But I will have to admit, that was some throwdown on the break.

One thing about this series, I really do think it hinges some on how the role players shoot. The Wiz role players didn't knockdown their shots, the Cavs guys did, so game one to the Cavs.

I'm going to miss tonight's game live, but I'll DVR it and watch it late. I'm looking for Eddie to tweak a few things, but it will be another game that will come down to the 4th.

The Wiz need to execute better down the stretch, I think the other guys looked a little out of place when Gil tried to drive the lane. I'm not sure that they really thought he was going in there to take that contact. No body moved to get in position for him to dish to so there was no opportunity to kick it for an open shot.

Got tickets Wed. night, no matter what happens tonight I hope we've got a loud and nasty crowd. I watched the Capitals game when I got home on the DVR, that crowd was great.

I hope the Wiz fans come out loud, we can't let a bunch of puckers out cheer us!

Posted by: GM | April 21, 2008 2:32 PM

> Blatche's vertical leap didn't do much to stop Ilgauskas from backing him down under the basket at will in the first half, did it?

And Songaila's so-called "physical strength" did not stop Z from scoring in the second half did it? (BTW, I don't think Blatche is a particularly good leaper, but he has "length.")

> None of which says Songaila is a great defender. Of course he's not.

So what is you reason for arguing he is a "better" defender? Rodman or Oakley, he is not (see above)!